FSU Baseball Announces Recruiting Class

By FSU Sports Information&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Thu 12:11 AM, Aug 29, 2013

Tallahassee, FL - With the first week of classes in full swing for the 2013 fall semester, Florida State baseball and head coach Mike Martin has announced its 13-member signing class for the 2013-14 season. This year’s class features 11 players from the state of Florida and two from Georgia.

“The 2013-14 class is very versatile with a great deal of athleticism which is something very hard to find these days,” said assistant coach and Seminole recruiting coordinator Mike Martin, Jr. “We will look to play a faster brand of baseball now and in the future due to the athletic make-up of this class. The pitchers are very polished and we will look for them to come in and help us right away as a starter, in mid-relief and even in closing situations.

“The position players give us a solid nucleus for the years to come. This group also provides above average power at the plate but with the ability to run. We are really excited about this year's group and are anxious to see how they develop and mature throughout the season.”

Here is a closer look at the 2013-14 Florida State Baseball recruiting class:

Assistant coach Mike Martin, Jr. on Byrd: “Alec is an extremely polished left-handed pitcher that can throw three pitches for strikes. His fastball has been clocked anywhere between 87-89 mph and can touch 91 on occasion. We have really big plans for him as a true freshman.”

Martin, Jr. on Blatch: “Taylor is a right-handed pitcher with an electric arm. He can get his fastball up to 94 mph. Taylor is another guy that will make an instant impact on the mound this year. He is also a very athletic player that can get off the mound and make a play.”

Martin, Jr. on DeLuzio: “Ben is one of the highest drafted players to step foot on Florida State’s campus in quite a while. He is an extremely athletic kid that can play infield or outfield. Offensively, Ben has a lot of power from the right side. He is a guy that can step in and help us right away.”

Martin, Jr. on De La Calle: “Daniel might be one of the most polished catch and throw guys in the junior college ranks in the state of Florida. He has a cannon for an arm and has great hands behind the plate.”

Martin, Jr. on Fritz: “Derek is a right-handed hitting catcher that is a very strong kid. He has plus power from the right side. Derek throws the ball well and does a great job of running a pitch staff.”

Martin, Jr. on Graganella: “Nick has outstanding speed. He has a strong, compact swing which can translate into power at the Division I level. He is a very good outfielder that can cover a lot of ground. He likes to play the speed game with his ability to bunt.”

Martin, Jr. on Minacci: “M.T. is a two-way guy that will serve as both a right-handed pitcher and an infielder that can play multiple positions. On the mound, his fastball has reached 94 mph. M.T. is also a very athletic kid that has very good speed.”

Martin, Jr. on Truluck: “Hank is a right-handed hitter who is a very versatile player. He can play infield or outfield and is an above average runner. Hank will be a contributor on this team and will be a good player of us.”

Martin, Jr. on Ed Voyles: “The Voyles twins are splitting images of each other. Ed is a right-handed pitcher that can get his fastball up to 91 mph. He has an above average breaking ball and will provide a great deal of depth to our pitching staff this upcoming season. Ed was also a tremendous basketball player in high school.”

Martin, Jr. on Jim Voyles: “Jim is very similar to his brother Ed in that his fastball reaches 91 mph. He has a plus change-up and an above average breaking ball. Along with his brother Ed, was a very good high school basketball player as well.

Martin, Jr. on Ward: “Andy is a right-handed pitcher that is coming off Tommy John surgery this past spring. Before the surgery, he was ranked as one of the best right-handed pitchers in the country. Andy has a fastball that has been clocked at 93 mph with a wipe-out slider. When we finally get him healthy, Andy will make an immediate impact on this team.”

Martin, Jr on West: “Gage is a left-handed hitting catcher/outfield from right here in Tallahassee. He has above average power and is a very polished hitter. Gage runs very well and is a very athletic player.”

Martin, Jr. on Zirzow: “Will is a right-handed pitcher with a fastball that reaches 89 mph. He is a big, strong, physical player that also exceled in football at The Bolles School in Jacksonville – the same school the produced DJ Stewart.”

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